Survey: Americans Can Hardly Function Without Smartphones

A customer inspects the new iPhone at the Wangfujing flagship store on September 20, 2013 in Beijing, China. Apple launched the new iPhone 5C model that will run iOS 7 is made from hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in various colors and the iPhone 5S that features fingerprint recognition security.(credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The number of Americans who use smartphones is at an all-time high.

Also, the number of people who say they can’t live without them is up.

In a new Bank of America survey, nearly half of Americans say they wouldn’t last one day without their phone.

About 91 percent of people surveyed say their mobile device is just as important as their car, or using deodorant.

Most say it’s more important than coffee or television.

“Before I got a smartphone, I didn’t think I needed one of them,” said Fred Crosby, a smartphone user. “Ever since I got it now when I can’t find it, I go into panic mode.”

Experts say as smartphones continue to grow in popularity, people are less likely to dial back on using them.